Nadal began his decline in 2011?

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

If you look at his form/level etc across all surfaces. It seems he peaked on all surfaces from 2008-2010. 2008/2010 his level was clearly superior to his 2011 form on clay, as was his grass level as well 2008/2010 Wimbledon form as was HC level. Even though he reached most of the finals in 2011, his level would never reach the heights it did prior to that on any surface from 2011-on. While some will say 2013 his North American HC run was peakish, it paled in comparison to his 2010 US Open peak level. His best chance at winning the Year End title was 2010. His AO form was at it's best in 2009

 

[travlerajm]

Yes

 

[DSH]

Nadal began his accelerated decline since the spring of 2009 due to his bad decisions with his schedule and he paid dearly for the rest of that season that should have been entirely his.
In 2011 he was no longer the same from a physical point of view but the worst of all was that he did not adopt better tactics to defeat his nemesis.

 

[MeatTornado]

I'm Ron Burgundy?

 

[Mustard]

Nadal's 100% mobility was actually in 2005 alone (before the congenital foot injury was diagnosed late in the year that threatened his tennis career), although he remained close to it into early 2009. He started slowing down with the mobility after that as time went on, although it was still at a high level for some time. By the mid 2010s, he needed to change his style to one that shortened the points and which saved his running for when it was most needed, which Moya helped with a lot.

The days of Nadal running with wild abandon were few and far between after early 2009.

 

[TheNachoMan]

2014 was when he declined.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal began his accelerated decline since the spring of 2009 due to his bad decisions with his schedule and he paid dearly for the rest of that season that should have been entirely his.
In 2011 he was no longer the same from a physical point of view but the worst of all was that he did not adopt better tactics to defeat his nemesis.

He changed it around in 2012-2013.

 

[Mustard]

2014 was when he declined.

Three bad things that year:

1. The back injury in the 2014 Australian Open final, which was still there to some extent as late as the 2014 French Open final (in the fourth set).
2. The wrist injury in July 2014
3. Appendicitis and surgery to remove his appendix around October-November 2014

Nadal then entered 2015 unsure of where he was at tennis wise, and unsure of what his body could tolerate.

 

[Djokodal Fan]

A weird coping thread by Nadal fans actually.

interesting that Nadal would magically decline with the rise of Djokovic and would magically never decline on clay.

Fantastic analysis by OP

 

[MichaelNadal]

Yes even though he had the eye of the tiger in 2013.

 

[Federev]

2014 was when he declined.

Oh Don Nacho…

You need a to share with the others.

 

[Razer]

Nadal declined from 2014

He was at his peak in 2013

 

[D.Nalby12]

2011 - 2012 was most consistent phase of Nadal' career. He made five slam finals in row. If not for Djokovic ruining this run - it would have been best phase of his career.

 

[RF-18]

Lol no.

 

[daggerman]

Nadal's points won percentage:

From Jan 1, 2005 to Dec 31 2010: 54.5%
From Jan 1, 2011 to now: 54.8%

 

[aldeayeah]

His defense/movement was never quite the same after spring 2009 as others mentioned. Many of you are too young to remember the ******* era.

(of course some other things improved later on but I'd say the whole package peaked around '08-'09)

Edit: what the hell Knee-dal is censored???

 

[DSH]

A weird coping thread by Nadal fans actually.

interesting that Nadal would magically decline with the rise of Djokovic and would magically never decline on clay.

Fantastic analysis by OP

Nadal won all of that despite his physical decline at early stage of his career.
On clay it is different, he is so superior to the rest (even your idol) that 70% of his is enough for him to annihilate his competition without any problem.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Lol no.

Ikr, it wouldn’t be convenient for you

 

[Rattie]

And yet he still won 22 slams.

 

[RF-18]

Ikr, it wouldn’t be convenient for you

Guy made 5 slam finals in a row, continued winning slams and jumping around at chatrier yet we gonna believe he suddenly declined once 2010 was over? LOL. That might be convenient to the dirt riders actually.

 

[SpinWizard]

He definitely played worse and more passive in 2011 compared to 2010. But his "true" decline came in 2014 season. After back injury in AO 2014 he was never the same. It was the first time in his career when he did not have dominant clay season and had some bad losses here and there. He managed to "peak" one last time during RG 2014 when his forehand was firing on all cylinders, but after that he declined a lot physically.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Guy made 5 slam finals in a row, continued winning slams and jumping around at chatrier yet we gonna believe he suddenly declined once 2010 was over? LOL. That might be convenient to the dirt riders actually.

Uh huh and Novak just did the same at 36, he's certainly peaking

 

[Mike Sams]

If you look at his form/level etc across all surfaces. It seems he peaked on all surfaces from 2008-2010. 2008/2010 his level was clearly superior to his 2011 form on clay, as was his grass level as well 2008/2010 Wimbledon form as was HC level. Even though he reached most of the finals in 2011, his level would never reach the heights it did prior to that on any surface from 2011-on. While some will say 2013 his North American HC run was peakish, it paled in comparison to his 2010 US Open peak level. His best chance at winning the Year End title was 2010. His AO form was at it's best in 2009

Nadal was in one of the strongest eras in history, trying to pass Federer while trying to fight off Djokovic, Murray, Del Potro, Tsonga, and many others.
Nadal had to put his body through the grinder to win many of those matches and try to get the #1 ranking.
If there had been no Federer or Djokovic, Nadal probably would've retired in 2012-2013 or so after passing Sampras' 14 majors.

 

[DSH]

Uh huh and Novak just did the same at 36, he's certainly peaking

He is centairly peaking at the RIGHT TIME.

 

[Benf15harp]

I’ve only seen him between 2006-2012 and there was no difference as the amount of helplessness and fear felt were unchanged.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal's decline began in 2011....interesting.

 

[itrium84]

If you look at his form/level etc across all surfaces. It seems he peaked on all surfaces from 2008-2010. 2008/2010 his level was clearly superior to his 2011 form on clay, as was his grass level as well 2008/2010 Wimbledon form as was HC level. Even though he reached most of the finals in 2011, his level would never reach the heights it did prior to that on any surface from 2011-on. While some will say 2013 his North American HC run was peakish, it paled in comparison to his 2010 US Open peak level. His best chance at winning the Year End title was 2010. His AO form was at it's best in 2009

Nadal peaked in 2010-2013 period, reaching his highest level in 2011. Only peaking GOAT was able to block peaking Rafa from winning 5 GS titles in a row.

 

[joekapa]

Stop lambasting the greatest no.2 in the history of the sport ! You should all be ashamed !

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Eh, in 2011-2013 he was quite at his peak, if there was decline it was minimal. He might have been better in 2008 and 2010 but he was still at his peak. Just like Federer was better in 2005 and 2006 than in 2004 and 2007 but he was still at his peak there.

Nadal's clay form in 2012 was superb, almost as good as 2008. Only lost on that blue clay thing but other than that went unbeaten and even lost only one set vs. Djokovic. On HC in 2013 he was basically as good as in 2010 if not better. He did the NA slam and beat Djokovic twice on HC in a few weeks, his only two wins vs. Djokovic outside clay post-2010.

On grass yeah, he peaked from 2007 to 2011 and never after that.

 

[accidental]

He’s been past his best since late 2009

 

[Djokodal Fan]

Nadal won all of that despite his physical decline at early stage of his career.
On clay it is different, he is so superior to the rest (even your idol) that 70% of his is enough for him to annihilate his competition without any problem.

Too good that his physical decline doesn’t matter in a surface that’s considered the most demanding?

I’m actually seeing a usage a good paradox here. Honestly good paradox lol

 

[The Blond Blur]

His movement was never the same after the knee injury during the 09 CC season. Now he could still move at a very impressive level but he was definitely a quarter to a half step slower in the 2010’s. He upped his aggression appropriately to compensate, but he still played a percentage tennis game.

He was super consistent in 2011, but he didn’t really peak that high at a particular event. Honestly the only events he played better in 2011 compared to 2010 were the sunshine double.

Now his prime ended after the back injury in the AO 2014 F. He kept trying to play the same way in 2015-2016 which led to horrendous results and are correctly referred to as the Crapdal years. Moya’s change in tactics to end points sooner gave his game the renaissance it needed to stay competitive. That and the tour has just continued to decline which helped prolong his career.

 

[DSH]

His movement was never the same after the knee injury during the 09 CC season. Now he could still move at a very impressive level but he was definitely a quarter to a half step slower in the 2010’s. He upped his aggression appropriately to compensate, but he still played a percentage tennis game.

He was super consistent in 2011, but he didn’t really peak that high at a particular event. Honestly the only events he played better in 2011 compared to 2010 were the sunshine double.

Now his prime ended after the back injury in the AO 2014 F. He kept trying to play the same way in 2015-2016 which led to horrendous results and are correctly referred to as the Crapdal years. Moya’s change in tactics to end points sooner gave his game the renaissance it needed to stay competitive. That and the tour has just continued to decline which helped prolong his career.

Djokovic has taken advantage of a declining Nadal since 2015; that is sure.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

... not 1986?

 

[joekapa]

Nadal was figured out in 2011.

As Uncle Toni said when he first saw Djokovic practice as a young upstart.
"We have a problem".

That problem came into fruition in 2011....and lasted till this day

 

[weakera]

He was pretty monstrous in 2017 on clay, a very high postprime peak at age 31

 

[CoolCoolCool]

Define "decline". He wasn't at his peak, but he was still in his prime and played at a very high level. He declined the same way Djoker declined after 2011 or Rog after 2007.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

His movement was never the same after the knee injury during the 09 CC season. Now he could still move at a very impressive level but he was definitely a quarter to a half step slower in the 2010’s. He upped his aggression appropriately to compensate, but he still played a percentage tennis game.

He was super consistent in 2011, but he didn’t really peak that high at a particular event. Honestly the only events he played better in 2011 compared to 2010 were the sunshine double.

Now his prime ended after the back injury in the AO 2014 F. He kept trying to play the same way in 2015-2016 which led to horrendous results and are correctly referred to as the Crapdal years. Moya’s change in tactics to end points sooner gave his game the renaissance it needed to stay competitive. That and the tour has just continued to decline which helped prolong his career.

Great analysis bud!

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

He was pretty monstrous in 2017 on clay, a very high postprime peak at age 31

Very true. No other player or any peak version including Djoko or Fed would get near 2017 Rafa on clay and especially RG. Devastating form.

 

[legcramp]

More like a certain serb declined the crap outta the bull since 2011... off clay of course.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Great analysis bud!

Yes that was a solid post

 

[Mustard]

Nadal peaked in 2010-2013 period, reaching his highest level in 2011. Only peaking GOAT was able to block peaking Rafa from winning 5 GS titles in a row.

LOL. Nadal peaked from April to August 2008. 8 tournaments won in 4 months, including a career best 32-match winning streak. Nadal simply moved better in 2008 than 2010-2013.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal was figured out in 2011.

As Uncle Toni said when he first saw Djokovic practice as a young upstart.
"We have a problem".

That problem came into fruition in 2011....and lasted till this day

You know very well that Nadal won 6 of 7 matches against Djokovic after the 2012 Australian Open final. That was why Djokovic hired Becker as coach.

 

[Hitman]

LOL. Nadal peaked from April to August 2008. 8 tournaments won in 4 months, including a career best 32-match winning streak. Nadal simply moved better in 2008 than 2010-2013.

He peaked in Miami also, its just that he ran into his worse match up at the time on HC, Davydenko who simply outplayed him in that Miami final.

 

[Mustard]

He peaked in Miami also, its just that he ran into his worse match up at the time on HC, Davydenko who simply outplayed him in that Miami final.

Nah. The best Nadal on hardcourt in that period was 2007 Indian Wells.

Davydenko and Nadal never met over best of 5 sets. I don't think Davydenko is any harder matchup for Nadal than Blake, Youzhny and Berdych were for a time.

 

[Hitman]

Nah. The best Nadal on hardcourt in that period was 2007 Indian Wells.

Davydenko and Nadal never met over best of 5 sets. I don't think Davydenko is any harder matchup for Nadal than Blake, Youzhny and Berdych were for a time.

I don't think so. Davydenko has beaten every version of Nadal on HC, including his best versions. Nadal reached the final of Miami, and if was not for Dvaydenko, would have started his run of title wins in Miami and not MC.

Nadal's run of good form started from Miami.

 

[Mustard]

I don't think so. Davydenko has beaten every version of Nadal on HC, including his best versions.

Like at the 2010 US Open?

Nadal reached the final of Miami, and if was not for Dvaydenko, would have started his run in Miami and not MC.

Nadal struggled to beat Blake at that time, twice. Blake had beaten Nadal in all 3 of their matches prior to 2008 Indian Wells, including 7 out of 8 sets played. At 2008 Indian Wells, Nadal beat Blake in the quarter finals 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and then at 2008 Key Biscayne Nadal beat Blake 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Blake had also beaten Nadal at the 2005 US Open, just as Youzhny did at the 2006 US Open, so they had done it over Nadal in majors.

 

[Hitman]

Like at the 2010 US Open?


Nadal struggled to beat Blake at that time, twice. Blake had beaten Nadal in all 3 of their matches prior to 2008 Indian Wells, including 7 out of 8 sets played. At 2008 Indian Wells, Nadal beat Blake in the quarter finals 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and then at 2008 Key Biscayne Nadal beat Blake 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Are you telling me Nadal sucked in Doha 2010, when he bagelled Davydenko and held Championship point? It's Nadal who had to show that he could take two sets off Davydenko first, which outside of an early win, he never did. 6-1 is a real thing. Davydenko had Nadal's number on HC, and I'm sorry, but talking about what will happen in a slam doesn't cut it, the guy struggled to get two sets.

Nadal beating Blake in Miami 2008 showed he was playing great tennis, because Blake was a problem match up for him also. The form was there, and no question in my mind that had it been anyone else other than Davydenko, he would have won. Many thought with no Federer or Djokovic there he was going to win considering his form there, but was denied.

 

[GoatNo1]

Now I'm finally starting to understand! it wasn't nole who rose astronomically in 2011. it was everyone else who declined meteorically in 2011. above all fed, rafa and muzza!

 

[Third Serve]

Ned was still in his prime in 2011-2013 but after 2010 it was a slow downward curve that turned into a rapid one after AO 2014.

In the same way, Fed left his absolute peak by 2007/2008 but still was in his prime till early 2010 and near his prime till 2012, and then 2013 kicked off the more rapid decline.